The Centre for Democracy and Development,
CDD cddwestafrica.org, duly accredited by the
Independent National Electoral Commission,
INEC, to observe the Osun State Governorship
Election on August 9, 2014, observed the
election in 20 local governments in the state.
For the purpose of the gubernatorial election,
INEC deployed 10,432 electoral officials to
administer the election. INEC also accredited
national and international observers for the
polls. There is heavy security presence in the
state. However, the security agents have
conducted themselves in an orderly manner as
at the time of filing this report.
INEC deployment of logistics is commendable as
election materials arrived ahead of
accreditation in most of the polling units across
the state. The accreditation process commenced
timely in majority of the polling units across the
state and ended around 11.30-11.45 a.m. There
were few cases of missing names on voters
register but we commend the INEC Situation
Room for the prompt resolution of reported
cases.
CDD observed that voting commenced around
12.30 p.m. in most of reviewed local
governments; however there were few reported
incidents of disagreements over folding of ballot
papers before handing out same to voters by
the electoral officials. For instance, in Ward 2
Polling Unit 14 in Ejigbo local government, this
led to a disagreement and delayed timely
commencement of voting.
CDD also observed that in some polling units,
electoral officials refused assistance to the aged
and persons living with disabilities contrary to
the INEC guidelines.
CDD observed that party agents representing
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive
Congress (APC), Progressive People’ Alliance
(PPA), Peoples’ Democratic Movement (PDM),
Labour Party ( LP) and National Conscience
Party (NCP) were present in most polling units
despite the fact that about 20 political parties
contested in the election.
CDD also observed that political parties did not
comply with the electoral laws and INEC
guidelines on the removal of posters across the
state as campaign posters and billboards were
seen littering polling units on the day of election.
CDD witnessed an average voter turnout during
the gubernatorial election. The atmosphere in
the state is calm and peaceful and results have
started trickling in as at the time of filing this
report.
Signed:
Idayat Hassan
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